NI aircraft parts factory to lose hundreds of jobs

Almost 1,000 jobs are expected to go at a Bombardier aircraft parts factory in the North, it was revealed today.

An announcement confirming the redundancies in Belfast is expected later.

Canadian-owned Bombardier produces planes for a worldwide market.

The firm specialises in small and medium-sized aircraft for regional markets, and is best known for its Learjet executive plane.

Union sources confirmed the job losses were expected.

The so-called C-series of aircraft is produced at the Belfast plant.

The airline industry has been badly affected by the economic downturn with falling numbers of passengers leading to carriers cutting orders.

This week there have been job losses at manufacturers FG Wilson and Visteon in the North.